The 2009 Team Trials to select the U.S. representatives for the Bermuda Bowl in Brazil, took place this June. The Robinson and Nickell teams qualified.

Our team lasted 6 days, but were dispatched on the final deal of our match (with only six teams remaining). We trailed by a large margin entering the last segment of that match, so I was in "swing" mode when I picked up:

J 6 5 4A 10 6 3 2K 10 64

With both sides vulnerable, my LHO opened 1.

RHO responded 1 and then raised opener's 2NT rebid to 3NT.

Of course, it is very normal to Pass and await partner's lead.

West

North

East

South

David

Larry

--

--

--

1

Pass

1

Pass

2NT

Pass

3NT

Double!

All Pass

However, you know what partner's lead will be. Surely, he will lead his best suit, and that is maybe 95% to be clubs (based on your singleton). Rather than be disappointed yet again by partner's lead, I took a chance. A big chance. I doubled. Such a double calls for the lead of dummy's first-bid suit--hearts. It's not like I had good enough hearts for this action (nor a good enough hand), but our team was in need of a swing. We trailed by 30 IMPs at the time late in the match. It seemed like a good shot. (Earlier in the match, this would be a poor action--on a bad day, the 3NT bidder has a 12-count and redoubles for some score you have to look up).

This was the full deal:

Vul: SouthDir: Both

Q 10 9K J 8 58 5 38 6 5

8 7 3Q 9J 9 4K J 10 3 2

J 6 5 4A 10 6 3 2K 10 64

A K 27 4A Q 7 2A Q 9 7

West

north

east

south

David

Larry

--

--

--

1

Pass

1

Pass

2NT

Pass

3NT

Double!

All Pass

David duly led the Q instead of a disastrous club. I allowed dummy's K to hold the trick. Declarer decided to work on his best minor--clubs (note the spots). He finessed the queen and David won the K to play another heart. Declarer covered with the jack and I won the ace. I exited safely in spades and we ended up 500 (declarer laid down the A next--he wasn't happy).

At the other table, my teammate was not doubled in 3NT (of course). He was treated to a low club lead, won by dummy's 8. Declarer set up the diamonds (with a finesse) and guessed the hearts for 9 tricks and a 15-IMP gain. Unfortunately, we then went on to lose the match on the final deal. Instead of a trip to Brazil to represent the United States, we earned a trip home.